Diminishing returns: Status report on 49ers’ 2013 draft

The 49ers' massive, 11-man draft haul from 2013 was reduced by one today when the Vikings signed tackle Carter Bykowski, a seventh-round pick, off the 49ers' practice squad. Bykowski was solid in the preseason this year, but because of the depth on the 49ers' offensive line, he never played a regular-season snap for the team. The team signed another tackle, Chris Martin, to fill Bykowski’s spot on the practice squad.

Here's a status report on general manager Trent Baalke's 2013 draft, which, aside from the first player taken has yet to bear any real fruit for the 49ers.

1 (18th) S. Eric Reid. He hasn't missed a start in two seasons and, along with veteran Antoine Bethea, has provided stability in both the secondary and the overall defense, both of which have had plenty of tumult in the last season. Best of all, Reid this year has avoided the concussion issues that sent him out of two contests as a rookie.

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2. (40th). DE Tank Carradine. His rookie season was a washout as he struggled with knee issues relating to a 2012 ACL surgery and had to have another procedure to remove scar tissue after the 2013 campaign. Carradine was inactive for the first half of this season but has slowly been working his way into the lineup this year. If Justin Smith is not back next year, Carradine will compete to take over his starting spot.

2. (55th) TE Vance McDonald. He had a very quiet rookie season and was even more anonymous this year. He went on injured reserve Tuesday having caught just two passes for 30 yards and having fumbled after one of those receptions. That Philadelphia's Zach Ertz was taken a few spots ahead of McDonald and Kansas City's Travis Kelce was taken a few spots later only puts a more powerful spotlight on this selection. Heck, Rice University teammate Luke Willson was taken in the fifth round. He has 17 catches for 191 yards this season.

3. (88th) OLB Corey Lemonier. He was earmarked to take over Aldon Smith's starting role while Smith was serving his suspension. Instead Lemonier faded to the point where he saw no defensive snaps and was limited to special teams. He is currently the team's fifth choice at outside linebacker.

4. (128th) Quinton Patton. Sunday was the first time he's been in uniform this season. Still, the fact that he got the nod over Brandon Lloyd signals that the 49ers are looking for Patton to give them a spark over the last three games. With Michael Crabtree and Lloyd likely to move on next season, Patton figures into the team's future plans.

4. (131st) RB Marcus Lattimore. Baalke made a moderate gamble that Lattimore could return from a devastating knee injury suffered in college. He lost that bet when Lattimore decided to retire earlier this season.

5. (157th) DL Quinton Dial. He has been serving as the 49ers' nose tackle with both Ian Williams and Glenn Dorsey out of action. Dial's more natural spot, however, is defensive end where both he and Carradine looked sharp in the preseason. Like Carradine, Dial will compete for a significant role – perhaps a starting role – should Justin Smith decline to come back for a 15th season.

6. (180th) LB Nick Moody. The former college safety has role on special teams but has not stood out there.

7. (237th) QB B.J. Daniels. He looked good during his rookie preseason and was picked up by the Seahawks after the 49ers cut him last year. He's now on Seattle's practice squad.

7. (246th) OL Carter Bykowski. Signed off the 49ers practice quad by Minnesota. To fill his spot, the team signed OT Chris Martin, an undrafted rookie who has spent time with the Texans and Patriots this season.

7. (252nd) CB Marcus Cooper. The 49ers cut him before the 2013 regular season in the hope of adding him to the practice squad. Instead he was signed by Kansas City where he's had a major role as a rookie. He started at cornerback early this season but his playing time has diminished of late.

About This Blog

Matt Barrows was born in Blacksburg, Va., and attended the University of Virginia. He graduated in 1995, went to Northwestern for a journalism degree a year later, and got his first job at a South Carolina daily in 1997. He joined The Sacramento Bee as a Metro reporter in 1999 and started covering the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. His favorite player of all time is Darrell Green. Reach Barrows at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
Twitter: @mattbarrows